Inspiring Conversations with Kristin Braswell of CrushGlobal Travel

Today we’d like to introduce you to Kristin Braswell

Alright, so thank you so much for sharing your story and insight with our readers. To kick things off, can you tell us a bit about how you got started?
I’m Kristin, journalist and founder of CrushGlobal Travel. I’ve worn a number of hats (some pretty, some not) before getting to where I am today, but the catalyst behind it all started in high school, when I stumbled on a brochure about a Creative Writing summer program at Oxford University. That moment was an invitation that would shape the course of my life’s work, made possible because my mother believed in me and encouraged me to apply. I was accepted into the program and took my first international trip to the U.K. that summer. Growing up in Los Angeles felt like being in a bubble of familiarity, but Oxford showed me that there were people and places with incredible stories that drew me in like a magnet. I always loved to write, but travel became the conduit for how I would learn to tell stories as a journalist and later share with people directly through experiences with my company, CrushGlobal Travel. After college, in the midst of a big recession, I struggled to find a job and ended up working at Barnes & Noble and restaurants as a waitress. I laugh now when I think about the initial embarrassment I felt being an Ivy League grad now waiting tables and selling books, but every person I met during that time would later inspire the short stories and reporting I grew to love writing about. It also solidified my respect for New York, a city filled with people just like me at the time: hustling, surviving, and living with a great sense of urgency. I continued to network and finally landed a job at CBS in the news department, and went on to spend years in various chaotic newsrooms at major organizations before reaching my “enough is enough” moment. That came when an editor I worked with decided that running a piece on Lindsay Lohan’s latest car accident was more important than the anniversary of Hurricane Katrina. The world of breaking news began to feel soulless and I wanted more. I took a weekend trip to Jamaica and something stirred in me again–that same feeling I had at Oxford. It was the world waiting for me to tell its story.

I began to pitch travel ideas to various publications and editors responded with interest. My writing landed in publications I had always read, like Vogue, CNN, BBC Travel, and Travel + Leisure. I began traveling around the world to review hotels, cultural events and restaurant openings. I pursued my wine certification and met with some of the top wine producers in the world to tell their story, too. To date, I’ve visited over 30 countries and still have a long bucket list of places I’d like to see. I founded CrushGlobal Travel because of these incredible opportunities I had working as a travel journalist. I wanted to share those experiences with people, and I wanted to support local business people around the world in the process. Whenever I travel, I always make sure to introduce myself to a chef, tour guide, winemaker, designer, hotelier, or passerby. These people have become colleagues that ensure any CrushGlobal Travel experience is authentic and memorable. I want my clients to feel the same love for the world that I do and to be inspired to step outside of their immediate environment. There is so much life and inspiration in travel.

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
I’ve definitely had to wear my seatbelt on the journey as it has not always been a smooth road. I don’t think my story is that different from many people’s experiences, especially as a Black woman. Microagressions, being looked over for opportunities, having to work twice as hard—these are all part of the game that I learned the hard way. I now understand that it does not necessarily get easier, you just learn to handle it differently. The hard truth is that as long as you work for a company, you are replaceable at any moment. This is in part what drove my passion to be an entrepreneur. I did not want to live a 9 to 5 or by the whims of other people. Today, my peace of mind increases exponentially when I practice not taking things personally, focusing on what I need to do, and leaning into joy with my friends and family. I also genuinely don’t care as much about validation and climbing the ranks in my profession anymore. I just want to live with purpose and excitement.

We’ve been impressed with CrushGlobal Travel , but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
I created CrushGlobal Travel because I wanted to be able to share the same experiences and inspiration I felt while traveling on assignment as a journalist. Over the years, I have taken groups to places like Havana, Grenada, and Jamaica, and have curated a number of honeymoons, group and solo trips to places in the South of France, Greece, Northern California, New Orleans, Japan, Morocco, and more. I think what sets CrushGlobal experiences apart from other travel agencies is my access to and relationships with businesses around the world. If my client is interested in a trip to France to experience Burgundy’s coveted wines, I can get on the phone with a top producer to create an unforgettable private, picnic lunch and tasting. If their bucket list travel wish is to traverse the Sahara Desert, I’ll have a candlelit dinner waiting once they reach their luxury camp.

Do you have any advice for those just starting out?
The landscape of media looks so different from when I first started, but the grit needed remains the same. Being a journalist means being flexible, especially if you are a freelancer. Don’t take no’s personally, and don’t let the world tell you that there aren’t still beautiful things to write about. Build genuine relationships with people, they often lead to opportunities and great advice that will shape your next decision.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.crushglobaltravel.com
• Instagram: @crushglobal

Image Credits
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